Characterizing the Current State of Training Courses Available to US Disaster Professionals

Abstract

Objective:The objective of this study is to characterize US-based disaster training courses available to disaster response and disaster health professionals. Its purpose is to better inform policies and decision-making regarding workforce and professional development to improve performance.Methods:Courses were identified from 4 inventories of courses: (1) National Library of Medicine Disaster Lit database; (2) TRAIN National Learning Network; (3) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Preparedness Course Catalog; and (4) Preparedness and Emergency Response Learning Centers. An online search used 30 disaster-related key words. Data included the course title, description, target audience, and delivery modality. Levels of learning, target capability, and function were categorized by 3 expert reviewers. Descriptive statistics were used.Results:There were 3662 trainings: 2380 (65%) for professionals (53% for public health); 83% of the courses were distance learning, with 16% via classroom. Half of all trainings focused on 3 of 37 disaster capabilities and 38% of them were related to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives (CBRNE). The educational approach was knowledge-based for all courses and 99.6% imparted only lower levels of learning.Conclusion:Despite thousands of courses available, there remain significant gaps in target audience, subject matter content, educational approaches, and delivery modalities, particularly for health and public health professionals.

Validation of Opportunities to Strengthen the National Disaster Medical System: The Military–Civilian NDMS Interoperability Study Quantitative Step

“…Training, education, and exercises have been repeatedly identified as critical tools to improve healthcare system preparedness, 26 , 27 but they continue to be insufficiently addressed. 28 Survey respondents recommended 7 opportunities for improving training, education, and exercises, although they were generally ranked lower than opportunities related to other themes. The highest priority recommendation in this area (95%) was to improve outreach to private sector healthcare leaders to increase understanding and NDMS participation.…”

Leadership and administration to advance translational science: Environmental scan of adaptive capacity and preparedness of Clinical and Translational Science Award Program hubs

“…The profusion of resources that are specific to promoting the adaptive capacity and preparedness of research centers to address disasters speaks to the great diversity and breadth of approaches available to the CTSA stakeholders. These resources include those developed by organizations focusing on disaster preparedness; for example, there are several excellent training and support resources in the inventories of the Network of the National Library of Medicine Emergency and Disaster Resources; TRAIN National Learning Network; Federal Emergency Management Agency National Preparedness Course Catalog; and Preparedness and Emergency Response Learning Centers [60,61].…”